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04 Mar 2015 8:20:09am

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Your documentary about land and mining isues in the Pilbara was moving. I work in an urban setting in Redfern in Sydney. I am the director of Weave local youth service.

I noted the comment about disposession and loss of land and culture. For Urban Aboriginal people this distance from culture and land has had a devastating effect. We are currently engaged in running healing workshops with funding from the Healing Foundation, a National Aboriginal run Foundation dedicated to addressing grief and loss. We have started a yarning group for women in the community. The stolen generations and separation from culture has left big scars. The result is family disfunction,relationship issues and mental health issues.

The power remains with the government and the mining companies. The ability to rule and divide, manipulate and cajole is a big challenge to already disrupted communities. Aboriginal people are also strong and resilient and as you say this next piece of negotiation will be trying.

thank you for the program

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